Okuyi Society Mukudj Mask

Object/Artifact

DePaul Art Museum

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

2001.106

Description

Mask with a white painted face with red lips and dark hair. There are two small slits for eyes.

Use

This mask is a female mourning mask particularly used during funeral celebrations.

Context

The Okuyi Society Mukudj Mask is a mask used by the Punu culture in Gabon, Africa. The artist who created these masks would attempt to make the mask resemble the most beautiful woman in the village. The “mukudji” was a dance performance done by males on stilts doing very acrobatic routines. The white coloring of the mask symbolizes peace, the afterlife and the spirits of the dead.

Acquisition

Notes

Collection of DePaul University, gift of the May Weber Foundation

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown artist

Place

Country

Gabon

Continent

Africa

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Africa

Culture/Tribe

Punu

Lexicon

Getty AAT

Concept

Punu, Ogowe River area styles, Central African (cultural or regional style), African (general, continental cultures), ceremonial masks, masks (costume), costume (mode of fashion), funerals, rites of passage, cultural ceremonies, ceremonies, cultural events, events (activities)

Hierarchy Name

Styles and Periods (hierarchy name), Costume (hierarchy name), Furnishings and Equipment (hierarchy name), Events (hierarchy name)

Facet

Styles and Periods Facet, Objects Facet, Activities Facet

LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials

Masks, Funeral rites & ceremonies

Exhibition

The Body and Art: African Sculpture from the Permanent Collection